Anduril Industries

Anduril Industries, Inc.

File:Anduril Industries logo.svg
Company type	Private
Industry	Defense industry
Founded	2017 (2017)
Founders	Palmer Luckey Trae Stephens Matt Grimm Joe Chen Brian Schimpf
Headquarters	Costa Mesa, California, U.S.
Key people	Brian Schimpf (CEO) Trae Stephens (chairman)
Revenue	Increase Template:US$ (2024)
Number of employees	3,500 (2024)
Website	anduril.com

Anduril Industries, Inc. is an American defense technology company focusing on autonomous systems. Established in 2017 by entrepreneur Palmer Luckey alongside partners, the firm pursues contracts with the United States Department of Defense to incorporate AI and robotic technologies into military applications. Their principal offerings encompass unmanned aerial systems (UAS), counter-UAS (CUAS) solutions, portable autonomous surveillance units, and integrated networked command and control platforms.

History

The name Anduril Industries derives from Andúril, the legendary sword wielded by Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings. In Quenya, the term translates to Flame of the West.

Investor meetups

In June 2014, Palmer Luckey—known for creating the virtual reality headset Oculus Rift—participated in a retreat on Sonora Island, British Columbia, organized by Founders Fund, an early investor in Oculus. There he encountered Trae Stephens, recently transitioned from Palantir to Founders Fund under leader Peter Thiel. Both shared an ambition to secure defense contracts for startups adopting a technology-driven approach. Stephens observed that despite substantial government budgets, few venture-backed companies collaborated closely with government agencies aside from Palantir and SpaceX. His objective was to finance a similar enterprise but encountered obstacles within Silicon Valley.

By 2015, both the United States Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security had established offices in Silicon Valley. Subsequently in 2017, the Defense Department initiated the Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team (Project Maven), aimed at leveraging AI for battlefield technologies, initially focusing on drone image analysis in Middle Eastern operations.

The idea of launching a cutting-edge military software startup was conceived by Stephens and his associates at Palantir. Following the 2016 presidential election, Stephens served on the Defense transition team and later joined the Defense Innovation Board. While seeking investment opportunities for Founders Fund in defense startups, he began assembling a team with Luckey—who had amassed capital after selling Oculus VR to Facebook in 2014 for $2 billion.

Luckey departed Facebook in March 2017, asserting his termination was linked to his pro-Trump political stance; Facebook has denied this claim. Together, Stephens and Luckey recruited talent from Palantir and Oculus with the aim of applying Luckey’s strategy—melding affordable hardware with sophisticated software—to defense technologies. Luckey believed this approach was achievable given the prolonged stagnation within the defense sector.

Since 2017

Founded in June 2017 with initial funding from Founders Fund, Anduril's founding team included Stephens, Luckey, Grimm, Chen, and later CEO Brian Schimpf. The company’s initial focus was on affordable border security solutions, leading to pilot initiatives with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in regions such as Texas and San Diego.

By 2018, Anduril deployed its Lattice surveillance towers on private properties in Texas for testing purposes. The following year, the UK Royal Navy and Royal Marines incorporated Lattice technology into their modernization programs. In 2019, Anduril secured a $13.5 million contract from the Marine Corps to install systems in Japan and across the U.S., including locations near the U.S.-Mexico border. CBP also expanded its deployment of these towers to several states. A funding round in September 2019 raised $120 million, pushing the company’s valuation beyond $1 billion—four times higher than its 2018 valuation.

In July 2020, a $200 million investment round led by Andreessen Horowitz and Founders Fund elevated Anduril’s valuation to $2 billion. The company’s annual revenue was estimated at approximately $100 million. CBP awarded a five-year contract worth $25 million for sentry tower installations, aiming to deploy 200 towers by 2022. Additionally, Google Cloud integrated its artificial intelligence capabilities with Anduril’s systems to support CBP’s Innovation Team. Anduril was also selected from over 50 competitors for the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) contract, valued at up to $950 million.

Throughout 2021, the Royal Marines evaluated Anduril’s Ghost drone for frontline reconnaissance missions. That year, Anduril acquired Area-I, a drone manufacturer with existing contracts from the Army, Air Force, Navy, and NASA. In June 2021, a Series D funding round spearheaded by Andreessen Horowitz and other investors raised $450 million, doubling the company's valuation to $4.6 billion. The Royal Navy also conducted trials of autonomous Ghost drones.

In June 2023, Anduril expanded its capabilities by acquiring Adranos, a company specializing in rocket engines for missiles and space launch vehicles. Later that year in September, it purchased Blue Force Technologies, which develops autonomous aircraft. During the same month, Anduril successfully conducted a live warhead test on its Altius-700M drone.

In January 2024, the U.S. Air Force selected Anduril as one of five partners to develop collaborative combat aircraft platforms. By April 2024, the U.S. Army Defense Innovation Unit contracted Anduril to create software solutions for robotic combat vehicle payloads. In August 2024, Anduril completed a Series F funding round led by Founders Fund and Sands Capital that raised $1.5 billion and valued the company at $14 billion; these funds are designated for scaling production of autonomous weapons systems.

On July 12, 2024, China imposed sanctions on Anduril and its executives in response to arms sales involving Taiwan.

In January 2025, Anduril announced plans to build a $1 billion manufacturing plant in Pickaway County, Ohio dedicated to producing AI-enabled aerial and maritime drones powered by its Lattice software platform. The U.S. Space Force selected the Lattice system in 2024 for use in surveillance networks. Furthermore, Anduril has partnered with OpenAI to advance defense technologies aimed at protecting military personnel from drone-related threats.

Altius

The Altius series, standing for Agile Launched, Tactically-Integrated Unmanned System, comprises fixed-wing UAVs launched from tubes and developed by Area-I, an Atlanta-based company acquired by Anduril in April 2021. The Altius 600 model is equipped with a modular nose payload and can be deployed from multiple platforms such as C-130 aircraft, UH-60 Blackhawks, ground vehicles, as well as larger drones like the MQ-1C Grey Eagle and the stealthy Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie UCAV.

This drone family is integrated within the U.S. Army's Air-Launched Effects (ALE) initiative and is capable of operating in coordinated swarms through mesh networking technology. Engineered to be cost-effective and expendable, Altius UAVs also offer mid-air recovery via the Flying Air Recovery System (FLARES). Its loitering munition variant provides a flight endurance of four hours and a range of .

Anvil

Known alternatively as Interceptor, Anvil is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle designed as a quadcopter specialized in neutralizing other drones. Once deployed, it employs computer vision to identify adversary UAVs and can be directed to collide with them. The system reportedly achieves speeds up to . Anduril is advancing versions intended to engage larger aerial threats such as helicopters and cruise missiles. Anvil operates seamlessly within Anduril's Lattice command-and-control framework.

The concept for this interceptor emerged during a weekend as a drone capable of detecting and ramming hostile targets. After sharing prototype footage with the Pentagon, the U.S. military placed an initial small-scale order. Anduril officially unveiled Anvil in October 2019.

By that year, Anvil units had been supplied to U.S. and U.K. forces, with contracts secured for deployment in active combat theaters abroad.

In October 2023, Anduril launched the Anvil-M variant—a detonating model equipped with a fire-control system and munitions payload designed to eliminate Group 1 and 2 unmanned aerial systems.

Barracuda

Barracuda represents a family of air-breathing cruise missiles deployable from fixed-wing aircraft, naval vessels, and helicopters. This series includes three versions: Barracuda-100 with an operational range below 160km carrying a 16-kg warhead; Barracuda-250 offering between 280 and 370km range with the same warhead weight; and Barracuda-500 boasting an 800km strike capability paired with a 45-kg warhead.

Bolt/Bolt-M

Bolt is a UAV available in both military and civilian configurations that functions on the Lattice AI platform. It is lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack and can be launched within five minutes. Featuring interchangeable batteries for prolonged operations, it primarily supports intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. Bolt accommodates both remote piloting and autonomous flight modes, delivering approximately 45 minutes of flight time across a range of . Operators can program specific targets along with preferred attack vectors for autonomous strikes.

The Bolt-M variant carries an ordnance payload up to , suitable for anti-personnel or anti-materiel applications, though its flight duration decreases slightly to around 40 minutes.

Copperhead UUV

The Copperhead series comprises autonomous underwater vehicles (UUVs) that serve both utility and loitering munition functions. They are engineered for deployment from platforms such as Dive-LD, Ghost Shark, and other unmanned underwater or aerial systems. The Copperhead-100 model corresponds in size and performance to the Mark 54 lightweight torpedo, while the Copperhead-500 is comparable to the Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo. Both variants are designed for recovery and reuse.

Dive-LD

Developed by Boston-based Dive Technologies—acquired by Anduril in February 2022—Dive-LD is an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) intended for littoral and deep-sea survey, inspection, and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. In May 2022, Anduril secured a $100 million contract with the Royal Australian Navy to produce three Extra Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (XL-AUVs). The Dive-LD platform is capable of deploying the Copperhead family of UUVs as well as Copperhead-M loitering munitions.

Dust

Dust is a compact sensor system designed to detect individuals and objects within confined environments such as narrow corridors beyond the range of Sentry Towers. It can operate on an internal battery with a two-month lifespan or be powered by an external solar panel.

Fury

Fury is a stealthy, long-endurance subsonic military drone featuring an extended wingspan optimized for reconnaissance and strike missions. Initially developed by Blue Force Technologies, Fury was selected in April 2024 alongside General Atomics to compete in the first phase of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.

Ghost

The Ghost unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) derives its name from its quiet acoustic footprint and stealth capabilities. Earlier versions (Ghosts 1–3) have been employed in military operations, though specific details remain classified.

Introduced in September 2020, Ghost 4 utilizes a single-rotor helicopter configuration constructed from metal alloys and carbon fiber composites, which enhances efficiency, payload capacity, and noise reduction compared to traditional multirotor drones. Fully assembled, it measures , but can be collapsed to for backpack portability. The drone offers up to 100 minutes of flight time, cruises at , carries a payload up to , and requires 35 minutes for a full charge. It supports both remote control and autonomous flight modes.

Incorporating advanced machine learning and computer vision technologies, Ghost autonomously identifies and tracks targets. Integration with Anduril’s Lattice system employs Nvidia processors originally developed for autonomous vehicles to enable onboard data processing while maintaining radio silence. This approach minimizes dependence on bandwidth-intensive communications and centralized analysis. Operators receive live video feeds for situational awareness. The system can capture high-resolution imagery of objects up to away.

Ghost features five modular payload bays that facilitate quick swapping of equipment such as laser weaponry or sensors for cruise missile detection. Multiple units can form swarms using rule-based algorithms to extend operational range via data relay networks. The Ghost 4 variant also includes enhanced weather resistance and an upgraded rotor assembly.

Past customers encompass the United States Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Defense, the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, and the Royal Navy. In September 2024, the U.S. Army selected the Ghost X model—with a flight endurance of 75 minutes and a range of —to fulfill its Company-Level Small Unmanned Aircraft System Directed Requirement.

Ghost Shark

The Ghost Shark is an autonomous underwater vehicle engineered by Anduril Industries through a collaboration with the Royal Australian Navy and the Defence Science and Technology Group. This initiative, launched in May 2022, aims to develop three prototypes within a three-year timeframe.

Designed with manufacturability in mind, the project targets operational readiness by mid-2025. As of April 2024, the prototype phase was actively underway, including extensive maritime trials. Although detailed technical information remains undisclosed, the focus is on accelerating development and enabling scalable production. The Ghost Shark platform is capable of deploying numerous Copperhead-100 class unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) or Copperhead-100M loitering munitions, alongside several Copperhead-500 class UUVs or Copperhead-500M munitions.

Lattice

Lattice is an artificial intelligence-powered software system that integrates sensor data from both Anduril’s own hardware and third-party sources to accurately identify and classify objects. It facilitates command and control over Anduril’s equipment for surveillance of national borders and military installations.

In September 2020, Anduril showcased Lattice during a United States Air Force Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) exercise at White Sands Missile Range. The demonstration simulated intercepting Russian cruise missile threats by merging data from Air Force assets and missile detection towers. Situational awareness was enhanced through visualization on an Oculus virtual reality headset, allowing operators to mark targets as hostile and receive recommended courses of action.

Military personnel access Lattice via laptops or mobile devices, improving responsiveness and operational coordination across multiple platforms.

Roadrunner

Roadrunner is a twin-turbojet-powered delta-wing aircraft measuring approximately in length, capable of reaching high subsonic speeds while maintaining exceptional agility. It occupies a niche between an autonomous drone and a reusable missile platform. The standard configuration supports modular payloads such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance sensors. The Roadrunner-M variant is equipped with an explosive warhead intended for neutralizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS), cruise missiles, and manned aircraft. Both versions feature vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities from specialized launch containers, with the munition variant being recoverable if not expended. While specific technical details remain confidential, reports indicate it offers three times the warhead capacity and enhanced maneuverability under high g-forces, as well as tenfold greater one-way range compared to comparable aerial vehicles.

Anduril publicly introduced Roadrunner in December 2023 following two years of development and commenced low-rate production to fulfill an order for several hundred units from a U.S. customer. Each unit is priced in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars range, with anticipated cost reductions as manufacturing scales up. The name "Roadrunner" alludes to its competitor, RTX Corporation's Coyote Block 2 system, drawing inspiration from the classic Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoon characters.

Sentry Tower

Sentry Tower is a 33-foot tall solar-powered mobile surveillance system outfitted with cameras, communication antennas, radar, and thermal imaging sensors. Operating autonomously, it streams data into Anduril’s Lattice platform. When disassembled, the tower fits into a pickup truck bed and can be reassembled within an hour. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents can deploy a full system in under two hours. Marketed alongside Lattice as a "virtual border wall," Sentry Tower provides a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to permanent physical barriers.

The U.S. government has pursued digital border security solutions since the 1990s but faced setbacks, including $429 million spent on unsuccessful programs before DHS’s SBInet contract with Boeing in 2006 was canceled in 2011 after exceeding $1 billion due to inefficiencies and cost overruns. Israeli firm Elbit Systems supplied camera towers that were less mobile and more costly than Anduril’s offering. Sentry Tower’s compact footprint minimizes land-use complications.

Anduril’s initial concept described it as “perimeter security on a pole.” Founder Palmer Luckey recognized its potential for border enforcement, prompting swift prototype development and collaborative testing with DHS and border agents beginning in 2017. The software employs machine learning algorithms to differentiate humans from other objects effectively. Luckey innovatively adapted an off-the-shelf Nd:YAG infrared laser—originally designed for cosmetic hair removal—as a flash illumination source, enabling high-resolution imaging at lower costs compared to traditional thermal cameras.

In 2018, U.S. Representative Will Hurd facilitated early field trials on ranch property near the border that resulted in 55 arrests and seizure of 982 pounds of marijuana over ten weeks. An official evaluation near San Diego recorded ten interdictions within twelve days.

Anduril has secured multiple government contracts for Sentry Tower deployments:

• CBP: Initial deployment began in early 2018 with four towers in San Diego County; by June 2020, 60 towers were operational.
  • A 2019 pilot tested cold-weather variants in Montana and Vermont.
  • In July 2020, CBP awarded $25 million for additional surveillance towers; another $36 million contract followed in September 2020.
• U.S. Marine Corps: Received a $13.5 million contract in July 2019 for Lattice integration and tower installations across four bases including Okinawa, Hawaii, Arizona, and Japan.
• DHS: In July 2020 granted up to $250 million to expand the virtual border wall program incorporating Anduril’s towers.

These contracts highlight Anduril’s emergence as a key provider of advanced AI-enabled digital border security solutions utilizing cutting-edge surveillance technologies.

Sentry (firefighting vehicle)

Sentry was envisioned as an autonomous firefighting machine, converting an armored personnel carrier to transport water. The concept originated in Oakland, California through the efforts of special effects specialist and former MythBusters co-host Jamie Hyneman, with development subcontracted to Anduril.

Advanced Battle Management System / Joint All-Domain Command & Control

The Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) is a digital platform designed to fuse information from a variety of sources and weapon systems, including "jets, drones, ships and soldiers." One major obstacle is achieving data compatibility; for example, the F-22 and F-35 stealth aircraft operate on incompatible tactical datalinks. ABMS underpins the Department of Defense’s Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) strategy, which seeks to connect all military assets into a cohesive data-sharing network.

Integrated Visual Augmentation System

On February 11, 2025, Anduril took over responsibility for the development and production of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) from Microsoft on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense. The Army intends to procure up to 121,000 units, contingent upon the goggles successfully completing stringent operational combat evaluations prior to full-scale manufacturing.

Project Maven

Initiated in 2018, Project Maven focuses on integrating artificial intelligence technologies into military applications.

Locations

Anduril’s main headquarters is located in Costa Mesa, California, with additional offices situated in Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, Washington, D.C., London, and Sydney. The company selected Irvine due to its proximity to military installations and to avoid the Silicon Valley environment’s general resistance toward defense contracts. COO Grimm highlights the importance of face-to-face interaction because of the use of industrial hardware, security requirements for classified projects, and the necessity for on-site client demonstrations.

Anduril maintains a testing range close to Camp Pendleton.

The Press

In July 2018, Anduril secured a lease for a 155,000 square foot facility near John Wayne Airport in Irvine. By February 2021, it expanded by acquiring a 640,000 square foot campus in Costa Mesa known as "The Press," previously serving as the Orange County bureau and printing plant for the Los Angeles Times since 1968.

This site features a rail spur and a gas station intended to be transformed into a company park and coffee shop. The facility covers 450,000 square feet with plans for a 190,000 square foot westward expansion designated for research and development as well as a parking structure. Additionally, two floors will be added inside part of the existing building. The $200 million renovation was projected for completion in 2022. This lease represented the largest ever by size in Costa Mesa and was the biggest in Orange County since 2006.

Arsenal-1

In January 2025, Anduril revealed plans to build "Arsenal-1," a manufacturing plant located in Columbus, Ohio, with intentions to establish further Arsenal facilities. This site is designed to enhance production capacity of cutting-edge defense technologies beyond what near-peer competitors can achieve.

Development ethos

Luckey seeks to infuse the traditionally slow-moving defense sector with a dynamic, high-tech startup mentality. Anduril’s mission centers on upgrading the military capabilities of the United States and its allies to counter strategic competitors such as Russia and China.

As reported by Wired, Anduril adopts a Silicon Valley-inspired development strategy by proactively designing products for anticipated military needs ahead of formal Pentagon solicitations. The firm integrates commercial innovations like artificial intelligence and virtual reality to speed up product development cycles.

Military relations

Unlike many technology companies that minimize their defense involvement, Anduril maintains openness regarding its connections to the military and weapons development. The organization proudly backs the U.S. armed forces, with engineers actively and unapologetically contributing to defense initiatives.

Founder Thiel promotes enhanced partnerships between technology firms and the U.S. government, highlighting America’s delay in adopting cutting-edge technologies for defense. Luckey has conveyed confidence in the ethical conduct of both the U.S. government and military institutions.

Funding

Distinguishing itself from traditional defense contractors, Anduril has attracted substantial venture capital investment, raising in excess of $2 billion from notable backers such as Founders Fund, General Catalyst, Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, Lux Capital, Valor Equity Partners, Elad Gil, and D1 Capital Partners.

The company has also secured government contracts valued at hundreds of millions of dollars with various agencies in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Political affiliations

Anduril provided analytical data supporting U.S. Representative Will Hurd’s 2017 legislation, the "Secure Miles with All Resources and Technology Act," which aimed to allocate funding for surveillance technologies along the US-Mexico border.

Employment

From a workforce of roughly 90 employees in June 2019, Anduril expanded to about 400 personnel by February 2021 across its main headquarters and additional offices.

Criticism and controversies

In 2019, Anduril earned the designation of "Tech's Most Controversial Startup."

The use of Anduril’s sentry towers by U.S. Customs and Border Protection has sparked criticism from organizations such as the ACLU and human rights advocates. Critics argue that these deployments encourage migrants to take more perilous routes while contributing to the normalization of border surveillance.